East / West Fork of Big Spring Canyon | High Spur

Canyoneering East / West Fork of Big Spring Canyon - High Spur Canyoneering East / West Fork of Big Spring Canyon

High Spur

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Overview

Sat Sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 79 in the afternoon. South wind 3 to 23 mph.
81° | 57°
Sun A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 6 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
72° | 52°
Mon A chance of rain and snow showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
57° | 41°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 64.
64° | 38°
Wed Sunny, with a high near 71.
71° | 43°
View Full Forecast
RATING: 3|4B
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall (hot in summer)
RAPPELS: 1+ to 45 m ( 148 ft. )
WATER: Little
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate, but you can see the whole drainage and skies on the approach.
Sat Sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 79 in the afternoon. South wind 3 to 23 mph.
81° | 57°
Sun A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 6 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
72° | 52°
Mon A chance of rain and snow showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
57° | 41°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 64.
64° | 38°
Wed Sunny, with a high near 71.
71° | 43°
View Full Forecast
canyonintermediateaccess: 4x4
Mark and Tyler avoiding water in the West Fork
Mark and Tyler avoiding water in the West Fork
Mark and Tyler just above the tough downclimb
Mark and Tyler just above the tough downclimb

Sometimes good things come in small packages! Although short, both the East and West forks of Big Spring Canyon offer fantastic slot sections. The two canyons have different personalities, with the West Fork being more challenging and technical. The West Fork is recommended for intermediate or better canyoneers. The East Fork, on the other hand, is much easier and suitable for most canyoneers. It does not have any rappels, but a short rope is recommended to help beginners over a couple of moderate downclimbs.

WARNING: Floods in the summer of 2021 have made the West Fork much more difficult! Expect water, keeper potholes, and difficult anchors. Advanced canyoneering skills required. Wetsuit / sandtrap recommended. It will be interesting to see if it re-fills with sand in the coming years or stays more difficult. Likely rated 4B for the time being. East Fork has also washed out a bit and likely requires a short rope and intermediate skills.
Mark Fallentine at the bottom of the hard downclimb - west fork of Big Spring
Mark Fallentine at the bottom of the hard downclimb - west fork of Big Spring
Mark and Tyler Fallentine - west fork of Big Spring
Mark and Tyler Fallentine - west fork of Big Spring

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